Administration Team

Marie Marshall

Quality Assurance (QA) Manager (Operations Team)

I have worked in the NHS for around 11 years and over 8 of those have been in clinical research working in a range of teams, spanning many specialities.

I have recently joined the Operations Team on secondment as a Quality Assurance Manager responsible for the maintenance and development of quality management systems. NIHR Sheffield Clinical Research Facility (CRF) has a long history of delivering high quality research ensuring standards set by national and international bodies. My role will focus on the whole research process involving patient safety, data quality and research integrity. Helping to ensuring that we are always inspection ready through audits, monitoring, training, gap analyses and planning.

Clinical research is an incredibly rewarding field to work in. Collaborating closely with colleagues to improve patient care is a privilege. It is fast-moving and challenging but our efforts are rewarded by seeing the real difference we make in someone’s life in the here and now as well as in the future. 

Fahimeh Nafely

Data Manager (Operations Team)

As Data Manager my role is to ensure the quality of the data within the NIHR Sheffield Clinical Research Facility (CRF) and to support the administration and clinical teams in tracking and reporting performance.  I work closely with the Senior Management Team and patient facing teams to create customised reports that enable tracking or recruitment and delivery performance. I am also involved managing the CRF database and manage and oversee the training of new staff on the system. A key part of my role is supporting users of the system to ensure that data is entered accurately and timely to enable swift reporting as and when required.

Over the years, I have created a number of data and reporting solutions to gain insight into every aspect of our clinical research including performance real time report (BRAG), bed occupancy and trends in patient activity. I am also responsible for the annual NIHR Finance and Activity report and ensuring the data we present accurately reflects our activity throughout the year.  

The most enjoyable part of my job is having the pleasure to work with wonderful colleagues from all parts of our research organisation and provide personalised support. I’m also a chair of the UKCRF Network Information Management and Technology Theme Group which gives the incredible opportunity to share knowledge with other UK CRFs. For more information on Theme Groups visit the UKCRF Network website.

I have enjoyed contributing to the success of the COVID vaccine studies through management of the participant booking system, which was developed using a process that I adapted.

Rachel Whelpton

Service Coordinator (Operations Team)

As Service Coordinator in the NIHR Sheffield Clinical Research Facility (CRF), I work closely with the Head of Operations, Operations Manager and the Operations Coordinator.

As well as taking on the day to day running of key projects within the service area, I also look after our website and social media outlets to ensure everyone including our staff and participants, are kept up to date with the latest information regarding the CRF and the work we do locally and nationally.

I also look after the Authorisation and Amendments process ensuring that our staff are aware of the latest changes and updates to studies.

The other main part of my role is supervising the administration team including the PA to the Lead Nurse and Reception Team. I work with the teams to ensure that the systems and processes are in place to support staff, researchers and patients. One key initiative that I lead on is obtaining patient/participant feedback and feeding this into the wider team to ensure that we are being the best we can be.

I have worked in the CRF for over 11 years now and I continue to be amazed by everything our team achieves and how pivotal research is in helping to ensuring better treatments for people. It is so rewarding to be even a small cog in this important wheel.

Imogen Wilson

Data Assistant (Operations Team)

I have recently joined the Operations Team as a Data Assistant, having worked in the NIHR Sheffield Clinical Research Facility (CRF) for the past year as a Data Coordinator. I am working closely with the Data Manager and other members of the Operations Team to ensure that the data in our system is of high quality and accurately reflects the activity of the CRF through routine data cleaning. A key part of my role involves supporting staff with the use of our CRFManager database, and reviewing and redesigning the training for this system.

It is inspiring to work within a team that is always working so hard to improve patient outcomes. The CRF has played a very important part in COVID-19 research, and I am very keen to give a helping hand in this new role.